Backwater controlling device



June 20, 19335 F. MOE- AMER 3,914,739

BACKWATER CONTROLLING DEVICE Filed NOV. 25, 1932 ATTORNEYS Patented June 20, 1933 UNETED STATES FRANK LICHAMER, OF BEB/WYN, ILLINOIS BACKWATER SONTROLLING DEVICE Application filed November 25, 1932.

This invention relates to improvements in backwater controlling device.

An object of the invention is to provide a device adapted to be positioned in a floor of a basement in communication with a conventional drain which device is provided with a readily attachable portion for preventing backwater from flooding the basement.

Backwater valves of various forms are 19 quite generally in use for preventing back water from passing from the drains into the basement but frequently after heavy rains the head of water is sufiicient to force the valves from the floor and thus not only do not 15 function as intended but necessitate later repairs.

By the present improvements no attempt is made to prevent the backwater from rising above the floor, but a pipe is employed as part of my device. of sufficient height into which the water may freely rise to its own level whereby the application of pressure tending to disrupt the floor or dislodge the device is avoided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which during normal times forms no obstruction on the floor and enables the drain to be used in the conventional manner.

Other objects relate to various features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification and accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a backwater controlling device embodying the present improvements,

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof, and Figure 3 is a top plan view with the closing plate removed and a grate substituted therefor.

In the drawing, indicates a floor which may be a concrete floor of a basement, which is provided with the conventional water drain 11. Positioned in the floor in registration with the drain is a ring 12 having outwardly extending lugs 13, which enable the ring to be anchored in the floor. The ring 12 is provided with inwardly directed segmental threads lt, the upper surfaces of Serial No. 644,349.

which are horizontal, the lower surfaces bemg provided with a suitable pitch.

The ring has its upper surface 15 preferably flat and may be flush with the floor, as shown in Figure 1.

A closing plate indicated generally by the numeral 16 is provided with a peripheral flange 17 adapted to overlie the surface 15 of the plate. A gasket 18 is preferably disposed between the surface 15 and the flange f 17 to provide a water tight joint when the de vice is in the position shown in Figure 1.

The plate 16 is also provided with a plural1ty of lugs 19 which may be passed downwardly through the ring in the spaces between the ends of the segmental threads 14:. The plate may then be rotated whereupon the horizontally extending ends of the lugs 19 will coact with the inclined lower surfaces of the threads 14 to clamp the flange 17 firmm ly upon the gasket 18 which is interposed be tween the said flange and the upper surface of the ring.

The upper portion of the plate may be provided with webs or finger pieces 20 for convenience in screwing the plate in position on the ring or in removing the same there from. i

Extending upwardly from a central recess in the plate 16 is a pipe 21 which is open throughout its length. This pipe may be of any length desired. Thus, if the user even under most adverse weather conditions never obtains more than 6 of water in his basement through back-flow through the drain 11, a pipe 21 slightly longer than 6 will suffice for his particular needs.

With my device in place it will be seen that as water backs up through the drain 11, it may continue to rise within the pipe 21 and thus avoid subjecting the plate and ring to excessive pressure which frequently occurs where a valve is employed.

If desired the user may, when danger of water backing through the drain has passed, remove the plate 16 and the stand pipe 24, and place an ordinary grate or grill 22 in the ring 12, the grate resting upon the upper horizontal surfaces of the threads 14. The

drain can thus be used in the conventional manner.

It will be apparent that the device above described can be attached in a very few seconds, and is not only of relatively simple construction, but guards against the flooding of the floor by backwater and without subjecting the floor to the pressure such as occurs where shut-ofi' valves are employed.

Vhile I have shown and described an embodiment of my invention for the purpose of illustration, I do not wish to be restricted specifically thereto except as so limited by the appended claims.

WVhat is claimed:

1. A backwater controlling device compris ing a ring adapted to be positioned in a floor in communication with a drain, a sealing plate having means for detachably engaging said ring, and an open upwardly extending pipe carried by said plate.

2. A backwater controlling device comprising a ring adapted to be positioned in a. floor in communication with a drain and having inwardly directed segmental threads, an apertured plate having lugs for engaging said threads for detachably securing said plate to said ring, and a pipe extending upwardly from the aperture in said plate.

3. A backwater controlling device comprising a rig adapted to be secured in a floor in communication with a drain, said ring having a gasket seat on its upper surface and inwardly directed segmental threads, an apertured plate having a peripheral flange adapted to extend over said gasket seat, a gasket between said flange and seat, lugs depending from said plate for engagement with said threads whereby said flange and seat can be secured together in water-tight engagement with said gasket, and an open pipe extending upwardly from the aperture of said plate.

FRANK LICHAMER. 

